Sex accuser accused...

THE case of Asia Argento, the Italian actress who along with others has accused Harvey Weinstein of historical sexual assault — and who now finds herself embroiled in a sex scandal of her own — is a perfect illustration of everything that’s wrong about the #MeToo movement.

Argento has since issued a firm denial of the claims against her, but in essence she stands accused of sexually assaulting a young male actor called Jimmy Bennett. At the time of the alleged attack he was 17 — and therefore underage. The claim is that she paid him off in an out-of-court settlement to the tune of £295,000.

Argento has seemingly gone from victim to villainess in the time it takes to make a coffee. Now, it may well be that she is in the wrong. But until the facts can be properly examined in a neutral setting we simply have no way of knowing.

Human relationships are complex, as are humans. Sexual relationships are particularly so. When people — male or female — stand accused of heinous crimes, they should not be judged until due process has run its course.

Did Argento abuse Bennett? I haven’t a clue. But if you live by the hashtag, you die by the hashtag.